Quinn gives chance to fix Illinois

Machine politics, on both sides of the aisle, have put this state in the ditch. The people of the State of Illinois have not elected the last two governors. That job was executed by the Republican and Democratic machines that dominate our politics. We will soon have two ex-governors behind bars which is an indictment of those machines. People, not machines, must be the driving force to bringing good government back to the State of Illinois.

In Pat Quinn we have a rare opportunity to do just that. He was brought to power not by corrupt machines, but by the state constitution. He is beholden to no one, which gives us a once-in-a-lifetime chance at redemption. If we rally behind this man, who seems to have the best interests of the people at heart, we might actually be able to do something on ethics reform, campaign finance reform, special fund sweeps, a capital spending bill, structural deficits, hospital and pension board reform, the list goes on.

With this in mind I could not have been more disappointed to read State Rep. Mark Beaubien's quote in Saturday's Daily Herald: "Everyone who knows him is skeptical of his abilities."

Really? Is that all you've got Rep. Beaubien. That remark leaves me more skeptical of your abilities, not Quinn's.

This is a rare opportunity for the people of Illinois to take back what has not been theirs for decades - their state government. For those not interested or too scared to ride along, get off the train.

Scott Frillman

Antioch